How To Grow Okra

Type: Annual
Name: Abelmoschus esculentus
Light: Full sun
Soil Type: Loose, well tilled
Soil Temperature: 60°+
ph Range: 6.0 – 7.0
Watering: Average
Plant (Payson): May 15 – July 15
Planting Method: Seed or transplant
Germination: 12 –  14 days
Transplanting: When soil and air temperatures are warm
Maturity (days): 58
Common Pests: Aphid, stink bugs, flea beetles, corn earworms, cabbage loopers
Common Diseases: Powdery mildew, fusarium wilt

Seed

Okra seeds are very hard. Soak the seed overnight in milk or water, or score them with a nail file before planting. Sow seeds ½-1 inch deep and water generously. Thin later to 18 inches apart. Remember to add bone meal and Epsom salts to the planting area.

MULCHING

Black plastic can be used to increase soil temperature and will help deter weeds.

WATERING
Water regularly so the soil remains consistently moist.

FERTILIZING

When planting transplants or seeds, add some of Glen’s Magic Plant Food plus extra bone meal and Epsom salts to each hole. Every 4 weeks give a heavy feeding of alfalfa tea or a side dressing of Glen’s Magic.

The black plastic mulch should keep weeds down.

BUGS

Aphid, stink bugs, flea beetles, corn earworms, cabbage loopers, root knot nematodes.

Edible pods appear 50-60 days after planting. The pods grow fast and can become woody, so check daily and harvest while the pods are still tender. Here large is definitely not better. Pick fruit often to encourage plants to keep producing.

PRESERVING/STORING

Okra has a limited lifespan in the refrigerator so eat it quickly.   It can also be pickled, fermented, canned, frozen or even dried.